Skill game



W. TURRALL March 5, 1940.

SKILL GAME Filed Oct. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. TURRALL March 5, 1940.

SKILL GAME Filed Oct. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lzvvewrae W TueenLL.

llllll' I iir-rae/vs 4 Sheets-Sheet- 3 m m &.

W. TURRALL March 5, 1940.

SKILL GAME Filed Oct. 29. 1938 W. TURRALL March 5, 1940..

SKILL GAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 29, 1938 Patented Mar. 5, 1940 2,192,873

UNITED STATES rATEr SKILL GAME William Turrall, Wimbledon, London, England Application October 29, 1938, Serial No. 237,592 in Great Britain November 9, 1937 13 Claims. (01. 273-95) This invention relates to an improved coin The used balls are returned continuously to the freed apparatus for playing a game of skill and player for replay until any one of the step-byrelates to a ball game apparatus simulating the step switches has completed its full movement, Well-known bowling game or a game of bowls or that is, until a player has scored a full compleskittles. ment of any one of a number of prize winning or ,5

The usual arrangement in this type of game is losing ranges which are indicated by the lit inthat in return for a coin or token of predeterclicatcr lamps. When this has been elfected the mined. value a set number of balls are delivered e u n oveme t of any further balls is preventwhich once used by the player are retained by ed by a spring loaded arm or shaped plate or gate th apparatus whether a prize winning score is adapted to be projected across the return chute, l0 attained or not. The consequence is that in an said arm plate 0 gate being retractfifi y 6116 amusement centre, unless a player is really deball in play when it passes over a plate to optermined to win a particular prize two or three crate a switch which controls an e1ectric-magconsecutive losses are apt to discourage the playnetic device to release another ball to the player.

or and he will abandon that particular game an Suitable counter devices may be provided to .l tirely for something more attractive. indicate the number of complete scores effected The object of the present invention is to proand the number of games played to maintain a vide an apparatus in which in return for a coin check upon the issue of the prizes and the money or token of predetermined value a number of t en.

balls are delivered for bowling but which are In i f a further w after a completed 20 continually returned to the player for re-use ungame can effect the release and return of the til the player has succeeded in reaching one of a step-bY- p switches to zero positions- A aunumber of prize winning scores or has made a dime Signalling device y be c uded in the predetermined number of losing shots. indicator-lamp circuits to indicate the comple- According to this invention an apparatus for tion of a range Sco e. 25 the purpose set forth comprises a plurality of tan in order that this invention may be clearly gets adapted to be displaced individually by mi understood and readily carried into efifect sheets siles and when displaced to close circuits of elec- 0f lira-Wings are pp hereto illustrating n trically operated score indicating means, said. e bo e t thereof and Wherein ro score indicating means comprising a nu b of Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation view of indicators, and the targets being arranged in corthe apparatus With the electrical Operating e ns responding sets, means being provided to operate a d C cuit Om tted.

automatically a game-ended notifying device 2 s P View Of when indicator reaches a predetermined or maxi- Fig. 3 is a front end elevation view of the ma- :\3 mum score indication. chine.

In carrying one form of th inventi n mm Fig. 4 is a detail sectional elevation of one of practice the apparatus comprises a coin freed the t e smechanism which in return for the insertion of 5 s a d l e vat on View of one of the a coin or token of predetermined value effects Switch devices Operated from a target for closin the release of a number of balls to the lower end s i i to illuminate lamps indicating a score of an inclined table the upper end of which is and also for breaking a circuit of a device for provided with a ramp whereby the balls when preventing fu p y when a predetermined bowled up the table are deflected against movable number f p Circuits ve been Closed.

targets or objects, movement of a target when Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevation view of the 43 struck causing the closure of an electric circuit illuminated Score indicating e ice, and 45 to one of a number of electromagnetically op- Fig. 7-is a diagrammatic View of the complete erated switches which in turn closes an indicatorcircuit. lamp circuit. Each said switch is a step-by-step Referring to the drawings @119 y pa t of device which brings into circuit an additional inthe apparatus comprises the arrangement shown so dicator lamp each time a target of particular in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in which an inclined panel I value or colour is struck and at the end of its affords by its upper surface, the surface along movement the switch operates a make and break which each ball is projected with the object of switch in the main circuit to render the game instriking one of a number of movable targets 2 operable until a further coin is inserted in the arranged in staggered or other suitable formacoin freed mechanism. tion upon a target panel 3. The targets are preferably arranged to afiord a triangular assembly as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and each target preferably comprises a triangular plate to facilitate the triangular assembly, each plate being, as shown in Fig. 4, a fairly thick member l with a central aperture 5 in which is sunk a faceted or other suitable glass 6 which during the game is permanently illuminated by a lamp '1 with a reflector 8, the number of lamps I, each with its reflector, being supplied only to evenly illuminate the rear of the targets and the prismatic members. The glass 6 may be mounted in the board 3.

Each target member ais supported by pair, or more (preferably three), of legs 9 slidably guided through apertures in the target panel 3, such legs resting upon the upper fingers of contact switches iii adapted, when the target is depressed against the influence of springs l2 around the legs 9, when ball strikes the appro priate target, to close a circuit of one of a number of devices, hereinafter described for operating illuminated score indicating means.

Ln practice two balls are suflicient, and one is indicated by broken lines at E3 in Fig. 1 ready for throwing up the inclined playing suriac and the other is indicated by broken lines at is returning after play down an inclined runway l5 spaced beneath the playing panel I and conveniently forming the base of the game apparatus by being supported on transverse struts It seoured across side walls I? which extend the full length of the apparatus and are increased in depth at their rear ends to afford lateral panels [8 which support side nets iii to prevent the balls from being deflected out of the apparatus.

The rear end of the apparatus is constituted by a rectangular box like structure 283 open for the major portion of its front side to receive the rear upper end of the target panel 3, the lower front end of which abuts against a transverse board 2| supported across the side wall parts l8 so that it can pivot on an axis transverse in relation to the longitudinal direction of the game apparatus, this pivoted board normally occupying the position shown in full lines, but adapted when a ball falls upon its exposed front part to be deflected downwards by the weight of the ball to deliver the ball to the ball return runway l5. In rearward prolongation of the runway i5 is an inclined cover panel 2m spaced beneath'the target panel 3, but pivoted downwards to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 to afford ease of access to the contacts and other elements carried beneath the target panel The panel 210, carries the lamps and reflectors l and 8 respectively.

The balls are deflected upwardly at the rear end of the inclined panel I by a steeply inclined or arcuately shaped ramp 22, so that if sufficient impetus is applied to the balls they will ascend sharply as they leave the panel l and fall upon one of the targets or other part of the target panel 3 resulting in the appropriate target being momentarily urged downwardly against the influence of its springs 2 to close the appropriate contact or contacts I6.

The targets 2 are given predetermined values, and by distinctively colouring their glasses 5 a player can endeavour to achieve a high score by appropriate selection of target members to be aimed at when delivering a ball along the playing surface. In the particular arrangement shown simply by way of example there are four groups of targets, viz., coloured red, green, amber and blue, of which red has the higher value and is allocated say two target pieces. Green is next in value and has say four targets, amber being the next with say six targets, and blue being the losing element has say ten or twelve targets. The various coloured targets are scattered over the panel 3 so that it requires some considerable skill'to direct a ball successfully against any particular target, it being understood that the prizes awarded decrease in value dependent upon the colour value of the score attained, viz., red, green, and amber.

Each target group has associated therewith a score indicator in the form of a set of illuminated glasses or other transparencies corresponding in colour to the appropriate target group, and as shown in Fig. 3, three sets of illuminated indicators, each with its illuminated glasses 23 arranged in triangular formation, are disposed on a front upper panel 24 of the box like rear part 20, the three sets being indicated by the reference letters R, G and A to indicate red, green and amber coloured lights respectively, whilst the blue score indicating lights are arranged as a line of illuminated glasses B. The arrangement is such that each time a target is struck by a ball a correspondingly coloured indicator glass 23 is illuminated, and the intention of the game is to continue play until a complete set of coloured lights is illuminated whereupon return of the balls to the player is automatically prevented and an audible or visual warning is given. This score indicating means and other associated parts are operated electrically and Fig. 7 shows the complete circuit, but only one of each of the targets being shown to obviate a complicated diagram, and also only one of the sets of score indicators and circuit closing device appropriate thereto being shown as the operating means is the same throughout.

Referring more particularly to Fig. '7 the targets are indicated by the references B G, R and A blue, green, red and amber respectively and the lamps 1 which during the game permanently illuminate the targets are connected to a. low voltage (e. g., six volts) source of current L. V. by leads 1a and lb, and the contacts ll! of each target are connected by leads Illa to electromagnets B G R and A and by leads lilo to one pole of a high voltage (e. g., twenty volts) source of current H. V., the electromagnets being connected in turn to the other pole of the H. V. source of current by a lead I00 through suitable contacts. The armature 25 of each electromagnet is connected to one end of a pivoted arm 26 carrying a pawl 21 engaging a ratchet wheel 28 which is lightly spring loaded by a spring 29 to yieldingly oppose the thrust of the pawl 2'! when the armature is moved consequent upon momentary energising of the armature when a target is struck by a ball. A locking pawl lever 30 with each ratchet wheel prevents reassertion of the spring 29 until a game is completed, and a suitable coin operating contact 34 closes the circuit of an electromagnet 3i, the armature 32 of which is connected by a rod 33 to all of the locking pawl levers 30, whereupon all of the levers 30 are actuated and all of the ratchet wheels 28 returned to a normal or zero position by their springs 29. When in the normal or zero position no lamps of the score indicating device are illuminated, but at each subsequent movement of a ratchet wheel a score indicating lamp is illuminated. This is effected by each set of score indicating lamps, indicated by the reference numeral 36 in Fig. '7 having its individual lamps connected by leads switch 55 is located in the runway 36a to contacts 31 corresponding in number to the number of lamps of the appropriate score indicating set, and each ratchet wheel carrying a corresponding number of radiating contact fingers M which are adapted to engage the contacts 3'! as the ratchet Wheel rotates until ultimately all of the contact fingers 40, thereby all of the lamps 35 of one set, are illuminated. At this stage an audible warning 4! is operated by reason of a supplementary contact strip 42 on each ratchet wheel engaging a supplementary contact 43 connected by a lead Ma to the warning device ll, with which can be combined a visual warning device 44. The circuit is completed by leads 28a to a common battery lead 46 and a common return lead 41. Combined with the circuit embodying the member B is an indicating lamp Mb which is brought into circuit upon completion of the movement of its member 28.

To prevent each throw of a ball from operating effectively more than once against the targets, in order to ensure that only one score for each throw is obtained, a relay electromagnet 48 is energised immediately following the energising of one of the electromagnets B G R or A this being efiected by prolonged parts25a of the armatures 25 engaging and closing contacts 49 adapted to connect a high voltage battery lead 50 to a'return lead 5i connected to the electro-magnet 48, the latter being connected in turn to a high voltage battery lead 52. The armature 48a of the electromagnet 88 normally engages and closes a pair of contacts 53 which as shown normally connect the appropriate target contacts II] to the source of current by the lead lb and lead Iilc. When the electromagnet 43 is energised its armature 48a. moves away from and breaks the circuit at the contacts 53, and an extension 48?) of this armature engages and closes a pair of normally spaced contacts 54 so that the circuit of the electromagnet 48 is now closed through the contacts 54, a lead 55, a normally closed relay cut-out switch 55 and a lead 51. The relay cut-out l5 so that as the ballengages the upper part of the runway IE it rolls over and depresses the flap 58, thus momentarily deenergising the relay electromagnet 48 and releasing its armature to normal position bringing the target contacts I back into circuit and re-establishing normal circuit conditions for the scoring means. The flap 2| when it is moved by a ball closes a switch 59, also preferably a tilting mercury switch, and this switch 59, connects an electromagnet 50, via leads BI and 62 and junction box J. B. to the high voltage source of current H. V. The armature Ella of this electromagnet carries or itself comprises a stop for the balls, located above a channel i511 in the runway !5, down which channel the balls are guided. This stop is below or in advance of the flap 2|, and as the mercury switch 59 is closed by the last ball tilting the board 2i, the armature 50a is moved to release the previously played ball. The armature movement is only momentary, so that it returns to normal position to stop the last played ball immediately it has released for furher use the previously played ball. The channel ia communicates at its lower end with a trough B3 to receive the balls for play, and the upper end of this channel is joined to the conveying ends of side guides 64 (see Fig. 2) located beneath the target panel,

In the event of a ball not hitting a target it is necessary to illuminate one of the blue lamps, be-

cause in any event the hitting of a blue lamp target records a no score by illuminating a blue lamp. For this purpose the board 2| also carries a switch which is normally open, and is adapted to momentarily bridge the leads Ilia and lllb of the blue target contacts l0 and electromagnet B thereby producing the equivalent result of a ball hitting a blue target.

When any one of the ratchet wheels 28 has been moved through a complete score angle, 1. e., when all six contacts 31 are engaged by the fingers 40, an abutment ll (carried by each ratchet wheel) engages and opens one of a series of normally closed contacts 'Ho and thereby breaks the high voltage circuit across the lead lflc and a lead 12.

For the purpose of inspecting the various elements behind the panel 24 a lamp 65 (see Fig. 7) is provided, and the circuit of this lamp is automatically closed by a switch 66 operated by the movement of the cover member or door 24a. A master switch 51 can reset the score indicators to zero without releasing any balls for play, and two pairs of contacts 68, 69 can by hand operation selectively bring into circuit the electromagnet 6|] when it is required to release a ball for a trial play. To keep a record of the number of times a complete score is made each rotary member 28 (see Fig. 6) carries an abutment which engages an operating finger 16 of a counting device Tl to obtain a record of the prize scores and the number of coins inserted, thus affording a double check.

I claim:

1. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, a game-ended notifying device, means to operate automatically said game-ended notifying device and to break the circuits appropriate to the targets when a predetermined number of said targets have been struck, and means automatically breaking the circuit of the operatin means of all of the score indicating devices immediately following the displacement of one target by a missile to prevent more than one scoring operation for each discharge of a missile against the targets.

2. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break cicuits for the score indicating means, a game-ended notitying device, means to operate automatically said game-ended notifying device and to break the circuits appropriate to the targets when a predetermined number of said targets have been struck, means retaining each missile in an inaccessible part of the apparatus after it leaves the targets, and means automatically freeing said missile for replay operated by a subsequently used missile after leaving the targets.

3. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, said score indicating means comprising a number of indicaters, said targets being arranged in a corresponding number of sets, means to automatically break the circuits of the targets and score indicators when a complete set of targets has been struck by missiles, and means automatically breaking the circuit of the operating means of all of the score indicating devices immediately following the displacement of one target by a missile to prevent more than one scoring operation for each discharge of a missile against the targets.

s. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, said score indicating means comprising a number of indicators, said targets being arranged in a corresponding number of sets, means to automatically break the circuits of the targets and score indicators when a complete set of targets has been struck by missiles, means retaining each missile in an inaccessible part of the apparatus after it leaves the targets, and means automatically freeing said missile for replay operated by a subsequently used missile after leaving the targets.

5. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break c1rcuits for the score indicating means, step by step circuit closing devices to progressively increase the score indications of said score indicating means, coils with armatures and adapted to be energised by the closure of cuits appropriate to the target operated make and break devices operatively connected to said step by step circuit closing devices, and a relay device automatically breaking the circuit of all of the targets immediately following each energising of the appropriate one of said coils.

6. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement or the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, step by step circuit closing devices to progressively increase the score indications of said score indicating means, coils with armatures and adapted to be energised by the closure of the circuits. appropriate to the target operated make and break devices operatively connected to said step by step circuit closing devices, and a relay device automatically breaking the circuit of all of the targets immediately following each energising of the appropriate one of said coils, said relay device comprising an electromagnet or coil with an armature which normally maintains closed the circuit of the target contacts, but when its coil is energised breaks said circuit and closes another circuit to maintain the relay coil energised, said latter circuit including a cut-out device operated to de-energise the relay coil by a missile when returning from the target zone.

7. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets ,so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, step by step circuit closing devices to progressively increase the score indications of said score indicating means, coils with armatures and adapted to be energised by the closure of the circuits appropriate to the target operated make and break devices operatively connected to said step by step circuit closing devices, and a relay device automatically breaking circuit of all of the targets immediately following each energising of the ap propriate one of said coils, said relay device com prising an electromagnet or coil with an armature which normally maintains closed the the target contacts, but when breaks said circuit and closes maintain the relay coil energised, said latter circuit including a cut-out device operated to de-energise the relay coil by a missile when returning from the target zone, an additional circuit closing and breaking means with a circuit closing and breaking means operable by a missile not striking the targets and when returning for replay, and a no-score indicator operated from said additional circuit closing and breaking means.

8. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, step by step circuit closing devices to progressively increase the score indications of said score indicating means, coils with armatures and adapted to be energised by the closure of the circuits apits coil is energised another circuit to propriate to the target operated make and break devices operatively connected to said step by step circuit closing devices, and a relay device automatically breaking the circuit of all of the targets immediately following each energising of the appropriate one of said coils, said relay device comprising an electromagnet or coil with an armature which normally maintains closed the circuit of the target contacts, but when its coil is energised breaks said circuit and closes another circuit to maintain the relay coil energised,

said latter circuit including a cut-out device operated to de-energise the relay coil by a missile when returning from the target zone, additional circuit closing and breaking means operating in unison with said relay cut-out device, an electrically energisable device therewith, and an abutment preventing return of each missile to an accessible position for replay operated by said latter electrically energisable device to free the ball.

9. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, step by step circuit closing devices to progressively in crease the score indications of said score indicating means, coils circuit of with armatures and adapted to be energised by the closure of the circuits appropriate to the target operated make and break devices operatively connected to said step by step circuit closing devices, and a relay device automatically breaking the circuit of all of the targets immediately following each energising of the appropriate one of said coils, said relay device comprising an electromagnet or coil with an armature which normally maintains closed the circuit of the target contacts, but when its coil is energised breaks said circuit and closes another circuit to maintain the relay coil energised, said latter circuit including a cut-out device operated to tie-energize the relay coil by a missile when returning from the target zone, an additional circuit closing and breaking means with the said cut-out device operable by a missile not striking the targets and when returning for replay, a noscore indicator operated from said additional circuit closing and breaking means, a still further circuit closing and breaking means operating in unison with said relay cut-out device, an electrically energised device therewith, and an abutment preventing return of each missile to an accessible portion for replay operated by said latter electrically energisable device to free the ball.

10. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, said score indicating means comprising a number of sets of lamps, a number of step-by-step rotatable circuit closing members for said lamps, a number of electrically energisable devices adapted to impart progressive partial rotary movements to said rotary members, a plurality of contacts movable with the rotary members, a number of fixed contacts engageable by said rotary contacts, each set of lamps being adapted to be illuminated partially or wholly during a complete game, each rotatable member at the completion of a predetermined angle of movement automatically breaking the circuit of the source of supply for the operating means of the score indicating devices when one set of lamps is completely illuminated, and means automatically breaking the circuit of the operating means of all of the score indicating devices immediately following the displacement of one target by a missile to prevent more than one scoring operation for each discharge of a missile against the targets.

11. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected against targets, comprising a plurality of targets, means supporting the targets so that they are individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the targets to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, noscore indicating means, a set of targets appropriate to and electrically operatively connected to the no-score indicating means, step by step circuit closing devices to progressively increase the score indications of said score indicating means, coils with armatures and adapted to be energised by the closure of the circuits appropriate to the target operated make and break devices operatively connected to said step by step circuit closing devices, and a relay device automatically breaking the circuit of all of the targets immediately following each energising of the appropriate one of said coils.

12. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected towards targets, comprising a plurality of targets, displaceable members with the targets individually displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the displaceable members to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, said score indicating means comprising a number of indicators, said targets being arranged in a corresponding number of sets, means to automatically break the circuits of the displaceable members and score indicators when a complete set of targets has received missiles, means retaining each missile in an inaccessible part of the apparatus after it leaves the targets, and means automatically freeing said missile for replay operated by a subsequently used missile after leaving the targets.

13. Target game apparatus in which missiles are projected towards targets, comprising a plurality of targets, members with the targets displaceable when struck by a missile, electrically operated score indicating means, make and break devices operated by movement of the said displaceable members to make and break circuits for the score indicating means, said score indicating means comprising a number of indicators, said targets being arranged in a corresponding number of sets, means to automatically break the circuits of the said displaceable members and score indicators when a complete set of targets has received missiles, a game-ended notifying device, means to operate automatically said gameended notifying device, and to break the circuits appropriate to the displaceable members when a predetermined number of said targets have received missiles, and means automatically breaking the circuit of the operating means of all of the score indicating devices immediately following the displacement of the displaceable member by a missile to prevent more than one scoring operation for each discharge of a missile.

1 WILLIAM TURRAIL. 

